Procedure for processing user&#39;s identification numbers in communication networks corresponding communication terminal sim-card and computer product

ABSTRACT

A terminal for telecommunications networks, such as a mobile telephone, has at least one storage area for storing user indicators and acting as an electronic address book and processing capacity for processing user indicators stored in the storage area. The terminal is configured for organizing the indicators in at least a first and a second configuration. The first configuration has identifiers organized with the insertion of an identification code of an operator, such as long distance operator, selected by the user of the terminal, while the second configuration has identifiers organized with the inclusion of at least one of a country prefix and a local prefix. The user can thus make calls with the aid of his/her electronic address book without having to manually modify the stored numbers when the user moves (physically or in terms of service) between environments characterized by different telephone number configurations, without having to change back the numbers in the address book on return to the usual environment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national phase application based onPCT/IT2003/000509, filed Aug. 13, 2003, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods for processing useridentification numbers in communications networks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE KNOWN ART

Various applications require the processing, for example themodification and/or supplementing, of the identification numbers ofusers of a communications network, such as a mobile communicationsnetwork.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,108 describes a communications terminalprovided with a storage area for storing one or more prefixes to beprepended automatically to a destination telephone number. Thedestination number can be entered manually by the user using a keypad orautomatically entered from a telephone number storage area. The systemanalyzes the destination telephone number and determines whether one ormore prefix prepending levels have been enabled. If the answer ispositive, the system automatically prepends the selected prefixes to theuser-entered destination telephone number so as to generate a completedestination telephone number. The method can be extended to all thetelephone numbers entered by the user, or can be limited to telephonenumbers contained in the telephone number storage area contained in theterminal. Similarly, the system can be enabled continuously, or can bedisabled when the user turns off the equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,311 describes a system for receiving SMS datapackets transmitted from a cell site to a mobile station in order toupdate the contents of an address book located in a non-volatile RAMwithin the mobile station. Upon the occurrence of a particular event,such as a change in the area code, the system can automatically updatethe phonebook so that it is not necessary to determine which prefixeshave been modified and then carry out manual updating.

EP-A-1,239,650 describes an “intelligent” method for accessing theaddress book function available in mobile telephones. A table of countrycodes/prefixes and area codes is used to analyze the telephone numbersentered from time to time. All this is done in such a way that, whenstored in the electronic address book, the number is complete, in otherwords contains the country code as well as the area code. A method isdescribed for analyzing the type of telephone number to be dialed inorder to determine the characteristics of the aforesaid exact number.The user no longer has to manually enter the country codes, extensionnumbers or the like.

Additionally, WO-A-02/058364 describes a method and apparatus forediting the telephone numbers stored in an electronic phonebook of anelectronic device. A phonebook editor can modify part, such as an areacode, of one or more telephone numbers stored in the phonebook. Byproviding a change criterion, an old area code and a new area code havebeen defined, all the numbers stored in the phonebook matching thechange criterion can have their old area code changed to the new areacode.

OBJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is intended to resolve a problem (or, morecorrectly, a set of problems) that may arise in the context of certainregulatory frameworks in the telecommunications sector, according towhich the calling user must always be able to select the operator to beused for trunk or long-distance (LD) calls. For example, a regulatoryregime of this kind exists at the present time in Brazil.

Because of this situation, numbers must be arranged (formatted) (forexample at the level of storage in the electronic address book that isassociated to a mobile communications terminal, e.g., in a SIM) indifferent ways in order to enable calls to be made or text messages tobe sent: this means that the numbers in the address book must be storedin a plurality of different formats.

For example, again with reference to the present situation in Brazil(although this is not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of theinvention), a mobile telephone user can be obliged, depending on thesituation, to use different number and/or identification formats storedor storable in an electronic address book.

More precisely, the formats in question can be:

-   -   local numbers, in formats from 7 to 8 digits,    -   local numbers having a local prefix (area code) for a given        area, comprising 10 or 11 digits,    -   local and long distance numbers to which a local prefix is added        and with the identification called CSP corresponding to the        operator which the user wishes to use for the long distance        call; these numbers consist of 12 or 13 digits;    -   international numbers including country and local prefixes;        these numbers have variable numbers of digits and, although they        were valid under previous regulations and therefore potentially        present in users' electronic address books, they now have a        format which is incorrect for Brazil;    -   international numbers containing the CSP indicator, together        with the country and local prefixes; these numbers have variable        numbers of digits;    -   international numbers with country and local prefixes,        containing 12 or 13 digits; and    -   numbers for access to special services, typically having 10 or        11 digits.

The applicant has observed that the picture outlined above is made evenmore critical by the fact that the user of a given mobile terminal mayneed to travel, possibly rather frequently, between a country orgeographical region subject to a regulatory regime of the type describedabove and countries or regions where different rules are applicable, forexample where the user is not able to select the operator identified bythe CSP from time to time.

The object of the present invention is to resolve the criticalityinherent in the situation outlined above, in such a way as to enable themobile telephone user to make calls and receive text messages correctlywithout having to enter the whole of the corresponding number from timeto time and/or having to modify the items stored in the electronicaddress book.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by means ofa method having the characteristics claimed specifically in thefollowing claims. The invention also relates to the correspondingcommunications terminal, a corresponding SIM-type card and a computerprogram product which can be loaded into the memory of at least oneelectronic computer and which comprises portions of software code forimplementing the method according to the invention when the product isexecuted on an electronic computer.

In the preferred embodiment, the method is implemented at the level ofthe individual communications terminal, in particular at the level ofthe electronic address book resident in the memory of said terminaland/or in a memory which can be separated from the terminal, such as aSIM or equivalent module.

Essentially, the solution described herein enables the user to makecalls with the aid of his/her electronic address book without having tomanually modify the stored numbers when the user moves (physically or interms of service) to an environment characterized by a differentconfiguration for telephone numbers. All this can be done without havingto change back the individual numbers manually in the electronic addressbook on return to the usual environment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the change between at leasttwo different configurations is initiated directly by the user (althoughit is possible for this change to be initiated by the network by meansof a remote command, after detection of the fact that the user'sgeographical or service environment has changed). The correspondingprocedure analyzes the formats of the numbers present in the addressbook stored in the telephone (for example in a portable telephone,preferably a mobile/cellular telephone, and even more preferably in theSIM of a mobile/cellular telephone), and converts this format accordingto one of at least two possible configurations.

The network can intervene if necessary to modify, by an action known as“downloading”, the procedure stored in the memory associated with theterminal or with the SIM. This is done in such a way as to enable theuser to switch the numbers in his/her address book to newconfigurations.

The downloading operation can also have the purpose of modifying saidprocedure to take into account variations in the configuration, forexample following changes in regulations or the marketing of newproducts.

Downloading tools, currently known as SIM Application Toolkits, forimplementing this function are well known in the art, and are alsoencoded according to standards such as the GSM standard.

Alternatively, the procedure can be installed directly in terminalsduring their manufacture, or can be distributed to users (and updated)by loading it into SIMs or other memories which can be separated fromthe terminals, distributed to new users or designed to replace the SIMsused in different situations in which the same elements of criticalityarise.

The solution described herein is suitable for use in relation toservices such as facilitated prepaid roaming services in which thenumbers in the address book have to be configured by entering a specialcode to enable the user to make roaming calls which normally require theentry of a code (string) next to the number. This code is a specialstring designed to be interpreted by the network. This string typicallyinitiates a process in which the client is called back by the networkand connected to the desired number.

The solution described herein can resolve the criticality associatedwith this type of service by reconfiguring the numbers in the addressbook of the terminal or SIM of a client who intends to use this servicein such a way that roaming calls can be facilitated.

A further example which can be cited is that of services which make itpossible to request that the call is debited to the person who is to becontacted, with activation from other countries if required.

In this case also, by using the solution described herein, the addressbook can be reconfigured by preparing all the stored numbers to becalled in this special format.

In a preferred embodiment of the solution described herein, one of theat least two configurations applied to the numbers in the electronicaddress book is the standard configuration with the format “+ (countrycode or prefix) (area code or prefix) (telephone number)”. This is thestandard configuration which enables Italian users or users based inmany other countries to make calls either from their own countries orfrom abroad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, purely by way of example andwithout restrictive intent, with reference to the attached drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic and partially cut-away view of a telephoneterminal in which the solution described herein can be applied, and

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the criteria forimplementation of the solution described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, the reference 1 indicates the whole of a communicationsterminal, such as, typically, a mobile telephony communicationsterminal. By way of example, this may be a terminal configured orconfigurable to operate according to any mobile telephony standard suchas the GSM, GPRS or UMTS standards.

Within the mobile terminal 1 there is indicated the presence of astorage area 2 containing the telephone address book and a storage area3 which contains the application program for reconfiguring the addressbook according to a plurality of possible options.

The storage areas 2 and 3, shown here as separate entities essentiallyfor functional reasons, can in reality both be located in a removablememory, such as the SIM card (or similar) associated with the terminal 1or can both be in the terminal itself. It is also possible for one ofthe storage areas 2 and 3 to be located in the terminal and the other inthe removable memory. It is also possible to have hybrid solutions, inwhich different parts of the storage areas 2 and 3 are distributed indifferent ways according to the localization criteria described.

In the following text it is assumed that the storage area 2 can act asan electronic address book, storing within it a certain number oftelephone identifiers of users with whom a communication link is to beestablished.

The additional storage area 3 contains or is capable of containing anapplication program associated with a corresponding capacity forprocessing the contents of the user telephone identifiers stored in thestorage area 2.

According to the terminology used in the following claims, the terminal1 therefore constitutes a terminal for telecommunications networkscomprising at least one storage area for storing user indicators, actingas an electronic address book and providing processing capacity forprocessing user indicators stored in this storage area.

All this is done according to principles which are known in the art andconsequently will not be described in detail herein.

As indicated above, the terminal 1 and the corresponding storage area 3can be configured (also according to well-known systems) in such a waythat they can be subjected to a function known as “downloading” whichcan activate the installation or modification/reconfiguration of theapplication program in the storage area 3 on the basis ofsignals/commands received remotely by the terminal 1, from thecorresponding communications network for example.

The solution described herein considerably facilitates the management ofthe format of the numbers contained, for example, in the electronicaddress book associated with a mobile telephone 1, by automaticallyformatting each number, in such a way as to enable the user to makecalls and send text messages in the correct way, without needing tomodify the address book item by item.

In the following text, for the sake of clarity, some examples are givenwith reference to the application environment as presently provided forin Brazil. However, the fact of referring to this specific applicationenvironment must not be interpreted as limiting the scope of theinvention.

In particular, it should be remembered that the acronym CSP in thiscontext denotes the identifier of a long distance operator which theuser has selected for making the corresponding calls. This code can be acode selected previously during the definition of the user profile atthe network of the operator to which the user subscribes. The CSP codein question therefore essentially corresponds to the code currentlyknown as the PIC (Preferred Inter-exchange Carrier).

For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that thisidentification code can actually be an identifier of any operator, notnecessarily a long distance operator; in this context, we may mentionthe fixed network operator preselection codes which can currently beactivated in the fixed telephone networks present in Italy.

With regard to the example of numbering used at present in Brazil, theoperating procedures will now be described with reference to the varioustypes of numbering considered previously.

Local Numbers

As stated previously, these are numbers comprising 7 or 8 digits each.In this case, the reformatting operation is to include the “0”, theprefix relating to the city, supplied by the user, and the CSP code.Thus the numbers stored in the storage area 2 (in the following text thestorage area is identified with the SIM card) and originally having 7 or8 digits each are converted by adding 5 supplementary digits.

Local Numbers Already Having Local Prefixes (Area Codes)

These numbers initially comprise 10 or 11 digits each. They arereformatted to include the CSP code, in other words by adding twosupplementary digits when they have been stored in the SIM card.

Local Numbers Already Having Local CSP Prefixes (Relating to anyOperator)

In this case, the numbers initially comprise 12 or 13 digits each; thereformatting can comprise the replacement of the previous CSP code witha new CSP code identifying a new operator.

International Numbers (with no CSP Code)

These are numbers comprising a variable number of digits whose format isintrinsically incorrect for use, for example, in Brazil. In this case,the reformatting operation essentially relates to the identification ofan error, since the number as originally stored does not correspond to asuitable format.

International Numbers (with CSP Code)

In this case, the format (with a variable number of digits) is correct,and the reformatting operation can comprise the replacement of thepreviously stored CSP code with a new CSP code for another operator.

International Numbers (Preceded by the “+” Symbol)

These numbers, having a variable number of digits (where the “+” symbolis considered as a digit), are already in a format conforming to aninternational standard with the GSM standard. In this case, thereformatting operation comprises the inclusion of the digits “00” inplace of the “+” and the addition of the CSP code.

Numbers for Access to Special Services

These are numbers with 10 or 11 digits each, which commence, forexample, with the digits 0800, 0300 or 0500: their formats are usuallyintended for local use, and therefore are not intended to be modified.

By way of further illustration, reference will now be made to thefunctional diagram of FIG. 2. This is essentially a diagram illustratingthe man-machine dialog which can take place between a terminal, such asa mobile telephone provided with the functions described herein, and thecorresponding user.

The reference 100 indicates in a general way a step of activating thefunction of reconfiguring the address book illustrated herein. The step102 indicates a corresponding display.

The next step is ideally divided into a plurality of sub-steps orfunctions 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, 104 d, . . . , essentially correspondingto the instructions given or the selection made by the user from themenu of a desired operating mode.

In particular (again with reference to the Brazilian numbering system,but without restrictive intent), the step in question enables the userto select from the address book functions corresponding to a firstconfiguration (to be used for example when the user is in Brazil—step104 a) and to a second configuration (to be used when the user isoutside Brazil—step 104 b).

Further functions 104 c, 104 d (and others if required, indicated inFIG. 2 in broken lines to emphasize their optional nature) can beprovided to enable the user to make a selection from further possibleconfigurations of the address book.

Examples of such further configurations are indicated below.

It will be appreciated that the selection associated with steps 104 aand 104 b (and 104 c, 104 d if present) can also be made automaticallyby using the capacity of the terminal 1, and/or of the network withwhich it is associated, to determine (by known means) whether at anygiven moment it is in the network of the country of subscription or isoperating outside this network.

The reference 106 indicates a step in which the user is presented with amessage asking him/her to enter the corresponding local area code, usingtwo digits for example. This step leads on to two subsequent stepsindicated separately as 108 and 110, according to the selection made insteps 104 a and 104 b (for the sake of simplicity, reference will bemade to these two options only, in the following text).

In particular, the step 108 can consist of the display to the user of amessage indicating the possibility of using a particular operator (forexample the one to whose service the user subscribes) as the longdistance operator in order to determine the correspondingreconfiguration in the storage area 2.

At this point, the user is asked, in a step 112, to give his/her consent(for example by pressing a confirmation key) and this act typicallycauses the issuing of other messages intended to reassure the user:these may include, for example, messages indicating that thecorresponding reconfiguration may require a certain amount of time (step114) and the display of a “wait” message (step 116).

In an entirely parallel way, a step 118 following the step 110 cancorrespond to the display of a message indicating that the electronicaddress book can be reconfigured to facilitate international calls whenthe user is outside Brazil, for example. The user is also informed thatthe consent which he/she gives, again by pressing a confirmation key,will cause the addition of the corresponding country prefix to thenumbers stored in the storage area 2. In this case also, the granting ofconsent by the user causes the corresponding reconfiguration procedureto be activated, with the sending of messages in steps 120-122 which areessentially similar to the steps 114-116 examined above.

Normally, the wait messages 116 and 122 are presented while thecorresponding application carries out the function of reconfiguring thenumbers in the storage area 2.

According to known rules, if the user does not give his/her consent tothe execution of any given operations the system remains in a waitingstate, and, in the absence of such consent, the storage area 2 retainsits previous configuration.

Essentially, both in the case of operation in the context of the optionstated in step 104 a (user located “in Brazil”, in the exampleconsidered here) and in the case of a choice of the configurationexpressed in step 104 b (user “outside Brazil”, in the exampleconsidered here), the routines implemented for reconfiguring the storagearea 2 are essentially organized on the basis of an “if” mechanism (afunction having the purpose of recognizing the nature andcharacteristics of the number to be processed in the configuration) anda “then” mechanism (a function which implements the rule according towhich the indicators are reformatted).

Initially, the typical situations arising in the situation identified bystep 104 a (user “in Brazil”) are considered below.

Numbers with 7 or 8 Digits

The “if” function identifies the fact that the number in question doesnot have the local prefix (area code) and has a length of 7 or 8 digit.

The “then” function adds the prefix in question (area code) and the CSPcode.

The aforesaid codes are prepended to the initial 7- or 8-digit numbersand the final numbers therefore have 12 or 13 digits.

In particular, the local prefix (area code) is designed to be entered bythe user. What is known as an applet verifies the format of the numbersin the address book and adds the missing codes. If the user does notprovide the necessary local code (area code), the applet does not changethe numbers but leaves them in their 7- or 8-digit format.

Example

8113119 (7 digits)=0 41 21 8113119 (12 digits)

81131195 (8 digits)=0 41 21 81131195 (13 digits)

Numbers with 10 or 11 Digits

In this case, the “if” function initially checks the length of theinitial number (10 or 11 digits), and also verifies the presence ofother conditions:

-   -   the first digit is 0,    -   the second digit is different from 0, and    -   the third digit is different from 0.

In this case, the reconfiguration operation that is required isessentially the addition of the CSP code, usually comprising two digits(for example “41”).

The “then” function then proceeds to shift the number of a digit to theright and to add the CSP code if the three aforementioned conditions arepresent.

Example

0 21 8113119 (10 digits)=0 41 21 8113119 (12 digits)

0 21 81131195 (11 digits)=0 41 21 81131195 (13 digits)

Numbers with 12 or 13 Digits

This case is in many ways similar to that examined above.

In particular, the “if” function checks that the initial number consistsof 12 or 13 digits, and also verifies the presence of the followingthree conditions:

-   -   the first digit is 0,    -   the second digit is different from 0, and    -   the third digit is different from 0.

In order to proceed, in the way described above, with the addition ofthe CSP code, the “then” function replaces the digits in the second andthird positions with the CSP code. This code, as stated above, typicallyconsists of two digits (for example “41”).

Example

0 23 21 8113119 (12 digits)=0 41 21 8113119 (12 digits)

0 23 21 81131195 (13 digits)=0 41 21 81131195 (13 digits)

International Numbers with the “00” Code

In this case, the “if” function determines whether the first and secondnumber are equal to 0, while the “then” function replaces the digits inthe third and fourth position with the two digits of the CSP code.

Example

00 23 39 01234567 (14 digits)=00 41 39 01234567 (14 digits)

00 21 44 01234567 (14 digits)=00 41 44 01234567 (14 digits)

Local Numbers with Prefixes in the Format “+XY”

In this case, the country code of the subscription country “+XY” (forexample “+55”) is removed and the CSP code is supplied.

In this case, the “if” function identifies the presence of the symbol“+” in the first position, and the presence of the digits “X” and “Y”(for example a digit “5” in both cases, in case of the code “+55”),while the “then” function removes the code “+XY”, replacing it with thecode “0” followed by the CSP.

Example

+55 71 8113119 (12 digits)=0 41 71 8113119 (12 digits)

+55 21 81131195 (13 digits)=0 41 21 81131195 (13 digits)

International Numbers with the Code “+”

In this case, the “if” function detects the presence of the symbol “+”in the first position and also the presence in the second and thirdpositions of digits different from the digits X and Y considered above.

The “then” function removes the code “+” and prefixes the number withthe CSP code preceded by two zeroes, for example in the format “0041” inthe case where the CSP code is 41.

If the menu option represented by step 104 b (user “outside Brazil”) hasbeen chosen, the user is again asked to enter his/her prefix to enablethe application to reformat the numbers in the address book, in order tofacilitate calls from abroad, using the numbering rules according tointernational standards.

The principles of the processing carried out in the various cases willbe briefly examined for this case also, these principles again beingbased on an if/then logic mechanism, which can be easily implemented bythe processing capacity normally available in a mobile terminal 1.

Numbers with 7 or 8 Digits

In this case also, the “if” function detects the length of the numbers(7 or 8 digits) and the absence of a local prefix (area code).

In this case, the “then” function prepends to the number thedigit/symbol “+” and the country code (55 in the case of Brazil), if theuser has entered his/her area code.

When selected by the user, the corresponding menu checks the numberformat of all the items in the address book, adding the specified localprefix (area code) and the country prefix (55 in the case of Brazil) toall the items. If the user has not specified a local prefix, theapplication does not carry out the reconfiguration.

Example

8113119 (7 digits)=+55 21 8113119 (12 digits)

81131195 (8 digits)=+55 21 81131195 (13 digits)

Numbers with 10 or 11 Digits

In this case, as well as checking that the length of the initial numberis 10 or 11 digits, the “if” function checks the presence of the digit“0” as the first number and that the following digits (second and third)are different from “0”.

The “then” function proceeds to remove the “0” from the first positionand prepend the code “+55” to the number, which is thus brought intoconformity with international standards.

Example

0 71 8113119 (10 digits)=+55 71 8113119 (international)

0 21 81131195 (11 digits)=+55 21 81131195 (international)

Numbers with 12 or 13 Digits

In this case also, the “if” function not only checks the length of thenumber, but also implements the detection procedure on the first threedigits described in the preceding example.

The “then” function removes the “0” from the first position, removes thesecond and third digits and prepends the code “+55” to the number.

Example

0 41 71 8113119 (12 digits)=+55 71 8113119 (international)

0 41 21 81131195 (13 digits)=+55 21 81131195 (international)

Numbers with the “00” Code

In this case, the “if” function detects the presence of the digit “0” inthe first two positions, while the “then” function removes the firstfour digits and adds the code “+”.

Example

00 41 41 01234567 (14 digits)=+41 01234567 (international)

00 41 39 01234567 (14 digits)=+39 01234567 (international)

Numbers with the Code “+XY” (for Example “+55” for Brazil) and Numberswith the Code “+” in General

These numbers are not reconfigured.

The above rule (in other words non-reconfiguration) is also applicablein the case of numbers for access to special services (for example 0300,0500, 0800). However, it is preferable for tests to be conducted onthese numbers in order to prevent them from being altered in anundesirable way.

This can be done by providing, for example, an “if” function whichverifies the length of the number (10 or 11 digits) and also detects thepresence of the digits “8”, “3” or “5” in the second position and thepresence of the digit “0” in the third position.

In this case, the “then” function does not carry out any reconfigurationof the numbers in the storage area 2, and if necessary sends a messageto the user informing him/her that the number in question is not to bereconfigured.

In the currently preferred embodiment, the entry of the local prefix(area code) by the user can be configured in the following way:

-   -   dimensions “0-2” which enable the user to leave the item        completely blank but do not permit the entry of a single digit.

Other control functions include the verification that only numericalvalues have been entered, with the possibility of storing the lastnumber entered by the user.

It will be appreciated that the solution described above overcomes theproblem associated with the user's need to be able to select theoperator for long distance calls at any time, where the entitlement tomake this selection on a call-by-call basis is stipulated in the currentregulations. The solution described herein enables all the numbersstored in the phonebook or address book (in a SIM card, for example) tobe modified by means of a simple operation selected from a menu. Themodification is reversible when the terminal is used in differentenvironments subject to different regulations (examples of theseenvironments were given above with reference to the use of the terminalin Brazil, on the one hand, or in different countries on the otherhand).

The solution described herein makes it unnecessary to enter the samecontact in different sections of a phonebook, and also permits the“replay” of a call received without the need to modify the numbermanually. Moreover, the solution described herein enables the user'sphonebook to be used equally well in his/her own country and abroad, bymeans of a simple and immediate reversibility mechanism.

An example of a further possible configuration of the user indicatorsstored in the address book of a terminal for telecommunications networksis that which comprises, for each number in the address book, a code foractivation of a call by the network. It can be used, for example, toenable users with billing plans not directly authorizing particulartypes of call, for example in international roaming, to make such calls.For example, a code can be associated with the number “nnnnnnn” of thecalled user, to enable the network to call back the calling user and puthim/her through to the desired called user. In this configuration, forexample, all the user identifiers included in the address bookassociated with the terminal are modified by adding the said callactivation code. For example, if the call activation code consists inprepending to the called number the symbols *148* and following thenumber with the symbol #, the operation carried out by the applicationfor modifying the identifiers in the address book according to thisconfiguration is as follows:

nnnnnnn=*148*nnnnnnn#

Another configuration of the identifiers in the address book can providefor the association of a billing code, for example one which debits thecall to the called user, with each identifier in the address book.

A further configuration of the identifiers in the address book can beused to enable each call to be made from one of the two (or more) lines(calling user identifiers) associated with a terminal or with a SIMcard. By activating a reconfiguration of the identifiers in the addressbook in this mode, the calling user can make calls from one of the linesavailable to the terminal or to the SIM card.

Clearly, provided that the principle of the invention is retained, thedetails of embodiment and the forms of implementation can be variedwidely from what has been described and illustrated, without departurefrom the scope of the present invention as defined by the attachedclaims.

1. A method for processing user identifiers stored in a terminal fortelecommunications networks, comprising: modifying the user identifiersby including an identification code of an operator selected by a user ofthe terminal or at least one of a country prefix and a local prefix;selectively organizing said user identifiers in one of a plurality ofconfigurations, said plurality of configurations comprising at least afirst and a second configuration; and generating said user identifiersorganized in said at least the first configuration and the secondconfiguration by means of an if/then mechanism, in which the if functionidentifies at least one value selected from the group of: a number ofdigits included in the user identifiers to be organized, and the digitspresent in specified positions of said user identifiers to be organized;wherein said first configuration comprises the user identifiersorganized with the insertion of the identification code of the operatorselected by the user of the terminal, wherein said second configurationcomprises the user identifiers organized with the inclusion of at leastone of the country prefix and the local prefix, and wherein the modifieduser identifiers are stored in the terminal.
 2. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said identification code of the operator is anidentifier of a long distance operator.
 3. The method as claimed inclaim 1, comprising generating said user identifiers organized in saidat least the first configuration and the second configuration by meansof an if/then mechanism in which the then function implements at leastone function selected from the group of adding said identification codeto the user identifiers to be organized in said first configuration, andassociating with the user identifiers to be organized at least one ofthe country prefix and the local prefix in said second configuration. 4.The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising receiving from the user ofthe terminal information relating to a location of said terminal and theoperation of switching said user identifiers between said firstconfiguration and said second configuration following the receipt of theinformation.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising detecting alocation of said terminal and of switching said user identifiers betweensaid first configuration and said second configuration according to thedetected location of the terminal.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1,comprising organizing said user identifiers originally consisting of 7or 8 digits by adding a digit 0, the local prefix identified by the userand said identification code to the user identifiers organized in saidfirst configuration, and by adding a character “+”, the country prefixand the local prefix provided by the user to the user identifiersorganized in said second configuration.
 7. The method as claimed inclaim 1, comprising organizing said user identifiers originallyconsisting of 10 or 11 digits by adding said identification code to theuser identifiers organized in said first configuration, and by removinga “0” in a first position and adding the country prefix to the useridentifiers organized in said second configuration.
 8. The method asclaimed in claim 1, comprising organizing said user identifiersoriginally consisting of 12 or 13 digits by replacing a second and athird digit with said identification code in the user identifiersorganized in said first configuration, and by removing a “0” in a firstposition and the second and third digits, replacing the second and thirddigits with an international prefix in the user identifiers organized insaid second configuration.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1,comprising organizing said user identifiers originally comprising thecode “00” by replacing a third and a fourth digit with saididentification code in the user identifiers organized in said firstconfiguration, and by removing the first four digits and adding a symbol“+” to the user identifiers organized in said second configuration. 10.The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising organizing said useridentifiers originally comprising said country prefix by removing saidcountry prefix and including said identification code in the useridentifiers organized in said first configuration, and by leaving theuser identifiers unchanged in the case of said second configuration. 11.The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising organizing said useridentifiers originally comprising a symbol “+” by removing the symbol“+” and entering said identification code preceded by two “0” symbols inthe user identifiers organized in said first configuration, and byleaving the user identifiers unchanged in the case of said secondconfiguration.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: whenindicators corresponding to special services are present, leaving theuser identifiers unchanged without carrying out the configuration insaid at least the first and at least the second configuration.
 13. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of configurationscomprises a network call configuration with an associated identificationcode consisting of a code for activation of a call by the networkdesigned to enable said terminal to be called back by the correspondingnetwork.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said callactivation code is associated with a prepaid roaming service.
 15. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of configurationscomprises a debiting configuration with an associated identificationcode consisting of a billing code for configuring stored numbers of saidterminal for making calls to be debited to a called user.
 16. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of configurationscomprises an authorization configuration with an associatedidentification code consisting of a code which authorizes calls from twoor more lines associated with the terminal or with a corresponding cardof the SIM type.
 17. A non-transitory computer readable medium encodedwith a computer program product loadable into the memory of at least onecomputer and containing portions of software code for implementing themethod according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, and 5-16.
 18. A terminalfor telecommunications networks, comprising at least a storage area forstoring user identifiers and acting as an electronic address book, andprocessing capacity for processing the user identifiers stored in saidstorage area, said processing capacity being configured for modifyingthe user identifiers by including an identification code of an operatorselected by a user of the terminal or at least one of a country prefixand a local prefix and organizing said user identifiers selectively inone of a plurality of configurations, said plurality of configurationscomprising at least a first and a second configuration, wherein saidfirst configuration comprises the user identifiers organized with theinsertion of the identification code of the operator selected by theuser of the terminal, wherein said second configuration comprises theuser identifiers organized with the inclusion of at least one of thecountry prefix and the local prefix, and wherein the modified useridentifiers are stored in the terminal, and wherein said processingcapacity is configured for generating said user identifiers organized inone of said at least the first and at least the second configuration bymeans of an if/then mechanism, in which the if function identifies atleast one value selected from the group of: a number of digits includedin the user identifiers to be organized, and the digits present inspecified positions of said user identifiers to be organized.
 19. Theterminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein said identification code of theoperator is an identifier of a long distance operator.
 20. The terminalas claimed in claim 18, wherein said processing capacity is configuredfor generating said user identifiers organized in one of said at leastthe first and at least the second configuration by means of an if/thenmechanism, in which the then function implements at least one functionselected from the group of: adding said identification code to the useridentifiers to be organized in said first configuration, and associatingwith the user identifiers to be organized at least one of the countryprefix and the local prefix in said second configuration.
 21. Theterminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein the terminal can receive fromthe user of the terminal information relating to a location of saidterminal and said processing capacity is configured for switching saiduser identifiers between said first configuration and said secondconfiguration following the receipt of the information.
 22. The terminalas claimed in claim 18, wherein the terminal can detect a location ofsaid terminal and said processing capacity is configured for switchingsaid user identifiers between said first configuration and said secondconfiguration according to the detected location of the terminal. 23.The terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein said processing capacity isconfigured for organizing said user identifiers originally consisting of7 or 8 digits by adding a digit 0, the local prefix identified by theuser and said identification code to the user identifiers organized insaid first configuration, by adding a character “+”, the country prefixand the local prefix provided by the user to the user identifiersorganized in said second configuration.
 24. The terminal as claimed inclaim 18, wherein said processing capacity is configured for organizingsaid user identifiers originally consisting of 10 or 11 digits by addingsaid identification code to the user identifiers organized in said firstconfiguration, and by removing a “0” in a first position and adding thecountry prefix to the user identifiers organized in said secondconfiguration.
 25. The terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein saidprocessing capacity is configured for organizing said user identifiersoriginally consisting of 12 or 13 digits by replacing a second and athird digit with said identification code in the user identifiersorganized in said first configuration, and by removing a “0” in a firstposition and the second and third digits, and replacing the second andthird digits with an international prefix in the user identifiersorganized in said second configuration.
 26. The terminal as claimed inclaim 18, wherein said processing capacity is configured for organizingsaid user identifiers originally comprising the code “00” by replacing athird and a fourth digit with said identification code in the useridentifiers organized in said first configuration, and by removing thefirst four digits and adding a symbol “+” to the user identifiersorganized in said second configuration.
 27. The terminal as claimed inclaim 18, wherein said processing capacity is configured for organizingsaid user identifiers originally comprising said country prefix byremoving said country prefix and including said identification code inthe user identifiers organized in said first configuration, and byleaving the user identifiers unchanged in the case of said secondconfiguration.
 28. The terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein saidprocessing capacity is configured for organizing said user identifiersoriginally comprising a symbol “+” by removing the symbol “+” andentering said identification code preceded by two “0” symbols in theuser identifiers organized in said first configuration, and by leavingthe user identifiers unchanged in the case of said second configuration.29. The terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein said processingcapacity is configured for leaving the user identifiers unchanged,without carrying out the configuration in said at least the first and atleast the second configuration, when user identifiers corresponding tospecial services are present.
 30. The terminal as claimed in claim 18,wherein said plurality of configurations comprises a network callconfiguration with an associated identification code consisting of acode for activation of a call by the network, designed to enable saidterminal to be called back by the corresponding network.
 31. Theterminal as claimed in claim 30, wherein said call activation code isassociated with a prepaid roaming service.
 32. The terminal as claimedin claim 18, wherein said plurality of configurations comprises adebiting configuration with an associated identification code consistingof a billing code for configuring stored numbers of said terminal formaking calls to be debited to a called user.
 33. The terminal as claimedin claim 18, wherein said plurality of configurations comprises anauthorization configuration with an associated identification codeconsisting of a code which authorizes calls from two or more linesassociated with the terminal or with a corresponding SIM-type card. 34.A card of the SIM type for a telecommunications network terminal,wherein said card hosts, at least partially, at least one of saidstorage area and said processing capacity for a terminal according toany one of claims 18, 19, 20, 22-33.
 35. A terminal fortelecommunications networks, comprising at least a storage area forstoring user identifiers and acting as an electronic address book, andprocessing capacity for processing the user identifiers stored in saidstorage area, said processing capacity being configured for modifyingthe user identifiers by including an identification code of an operatorselected by a user of the terminal or at least one of a country prefixand a local prefix and organizing said user identifiers selectively inone of a plurality of configurations, said plurality of configurationscomprising at least a first and a second configuration, wherein saidfirst configuration comprises the user identifiers organized with theinsertion of the identification code of the operator selected by theuser of the terminal, wherein said second configuration comprises theuser identifiers organized with the inclusion of at least one of thecountry prefix and the local prefix, wherein the modified useridentifiers are stored in the terminal, and wherein the terminal canreceive from the user of the terminal information relating to a locationof said terminal and said processing capacity is configured forswitching said user identifiers between said first configuration andsaid second configuration following the receipt of the information.